Published: August 01, 2008 10:58 am      

Competitions are his challenge

Incoming duncan high school freshman

DUNCAN — While other students were vacationing during their summer break, Andy Stewart was learning.

Stewart’s drive to obtain more knowledge about a variety of functions continued from his eighth-grade year into the summer. He spent about 60 hours studying chemistry for a national chemistry contest in Philadelphia, Pa. He got fourth place.

But the chemistry competition, which started when he got first place for state, reflects only part of the success of his eighth-grade year.

His involvement in extracurricular activities and numerous academic competitions gives him a variety of experiences.

“Staying involved opens up your opportunities,” Stewart said. “You take chances, and find out what you like and don’t like.”

Some of these victories include Awesome Oklahoma School of Science and Math Competition, Daughters of the American Revolution, MathCounts, Oklahoma Junior Academic Bowl Association, National Geographic Geography Bee and the Stephens County Science Fair. The chemistry competitions were the most recent of his successes.

He said this recent national competition was one of his favorites, and getting there was an accomplishment in itself.

“It’s just kind of crazy how a kid from small-town Duncan can be fourth in the nation,” Stewart said.

During his trip to Philadelphia, Stewart explored what the city has to offer, from its historic locations to museums highlighting this history. He toured the Liberty Bell, Independence Center, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross’ house and Benjamin Franklin’s grave site.

Aside from the opportunities the academic contests provide, Stewart said he just likes getting to compete. He said he likes to take the knowledge he has learned and apply it to the event at hand.

“In competition, you just take all this stuff you’ve learned from school, learned from everything,” he said. “If you get one wrong, you forget about it and move on. There’s nothing you can really do about it.

“All you can do is hope and pray you can remember everything. It’s amazing how God has blessed everyone with a brain.”

His mom, Edie, said she thinks he has benefited from the competitions.

“They’ve challenged these kids to be m ore advanced,” she said. In addition to academic extracurricular activities, Stewart is also a member of Boy Scout Troop 434. When he finished with the chemistry competition in Philadelphia, he caught up with his troop in Montana for a Scout trip in Canada. This trip was just another highlight of his summer, he said.

Edie referred to him as a “world traveler” this summer. These experiences may add to his ever-increasing knowledge base.

Stewart completed his eighth-grade year at Duncan Middle School in May.

When the 2008-09 school year resumes, he will be entering his freshman year at Duncan High School.

“I’m kind of nervous,” he said. “But I think it’s going to be fun. It will be fun to make some new friends and have new experiences.”

He said he is looking forward to having more options when it comes to studies in school. He said he is excited about the various levels of math, English and science.

As intimidating as it may be to enter high school, Stewart has proven himself more than ready for upper-level courses. He has also figured out his future well beyond DHS.

“I’m hoping to be a physics major with a minor in chemical engineering,” he said.

“I want to have my own physics company or my own chemical engineering company.”

But his life goal is something far beyond having his own company.

“I want to earn the Nobel Prize,” Stewart said.